About Kiehl’s

Kiehl’s LLC is an American cosmetics brand retailer specializing in skin, hair, and body care products. Founded as a single apothecary in Manhattan in 1851, the brand has a rich heritage blending pharmaceutical, herbal, and dermatological expertise. Kiehl’s is known for its high-quality, scientifically advanced, yet gentle formulations, often incorporating naturally-inspired ingredients.

A key part of the brand’s philosophy, inherited from its apothecary roots, is a commitment to customer service, including its long-standing practice of offering free product samples (“try before you buy”). Kiehl’s was acquired by the L’Oréal Group in 2000 and has since expanded globally while maintaining its commitment to quality and community.

Kiehl’s Affiliate Program Overview

The Kiehl’s Affiliate Program allows partners to earn commissions by promoting Kiehl’s products through their online channels. Affiliates benefit from promoting a highly reputable, established brand with a global customer base in the premium skincare and beauty industry.

Factor Detail
Industry Beauty, Skincare, Cosmetics, Health & Wellness
Product Type Skin, Hair, and Body Care products (Creams, Serums, Shampoos, etc.)
Affiliate Program Type Cost-Per-Sale (CPS)

Kiehl’s Affiliate Program Offers

The program provides affiliates with necessary tools and favorable terms to effectively drive sales and earn commission. The core aspects include a competitive commission rate and a standard cookie duration, managed through established affiliate networks.

Factor Detail
Promotional Materials Banners, text links, high-quality product photos/videos, and product data feeds.
Affiliate Cookie Duration Typically 30 days (ensures affiliates get credit for sales made within this period after the initial click).
Accepted Traffic Source Content portals, bloggers, discount code sites, cashback platforms, social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.), and lifestyle websites.
Accepted Countries Varies by program instance (e.g., US, Canada, Spain, Singapore, etc.). Affiliates often must promote the site specific to their audience’s country.
Explicit Content Not accepted (affiliate content must align with Kiehl’s brand values and guidelines).
Religious or Political Content Content must align with brand values; generally, affiliate content is expected to be professional and focused on beauty/lifestyle, avoiding controversial topics.

Kiehl’s Affiliate Commissions & Payments

The commission structure for Kiehl’s is generally transparent, offering a percentage of the sale value, with payments handled by the managing affiliate network.

Factor Detail
MLM The program is a standard affiliate marketing structure, not Multi-Level Marketing (MLM).
Commission Rate Typically 6% to 8% per qualifying sale (rates can vary by platform, region, or affiliate tier).
Commission Structure Percentage of online sales (excluding gift cards and potentially other items). Some programs offer performance-based incentives for top performers (e.g., up to 10-15%).
Payout Frequency Generally Monthly (handled by the affiliate network).
Payout Methods Varies by affiliate network, commonly includes PayPal or Direct Bank Transfer.
Minimum Payout Varies by affiliate network (e.g., $10 to $50, depending on the payment method).

Suitable Affiliates for Kiehl’s Affiliate

The Kiehl’s affiliate program is highly suitable for content creators and online platforms whose audience is interested in high-quality, premium skincare, beauty, and wellness.

  • Bloggers: Especially those focusing on beauty, skincare routines, product reviews, and lifestyle content.
  • TikTokers/YouTubers/Video Editors/Livestreamers (KOL/Influencers): Content creators who can produce engaging video content such as product tutorials, reviews, “Get Ready With Me,” or daily routines, demonstrating the product’s effectiveness.
  • KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Individuals who genuinely love and use the products and can provide authentic, trustworthy recommendations.
  • Influencers/KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Those with an established, engaged audience in the beauty and wellness niche.
  • Skincare Enthusiasts: Individuals or platforms that focus on the science and ingredients behind skincare products.

Kiehl’s Affiliate Software

Kiehl’s does not typically use an in-house affiliate management software. The brand manages its affiliate program through major, reputable third-party affiliate networks or partnership platforms.

Commonly used platforms include:

  • Impact.com
  • CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
  • FlexOffers
  • Awin

These platforms handle the tracking, reporting, and payment processing for the program.

3 Alternatives for Kiehl’s Affiliate Program

Here are three popular alternatives in the beauty and skincare niche, offering comparable affiliate opportunities.

Comparison Factor Kiehl’s Affiliate Program Alternative 1: Dermstore Alternative 2: YesStyle Alternative 3: Yves Rocher
Average Bill High (Premium/Upscale Skincare) High (Dermatologist-recommended brands) Medium (K-Beauty & J-Beauty, wider range of prices) Medium (Botanical-based, value-oriented)
Entry Fees None (Free to join via affiliate network) None (Free to join via affiliate network) None (Free to join via Influencer/Affiliate program) None (Free to join via affiliate network)
Withdrawal Threshold Varies (e.g., $10 – $50 via network) Varies (via network) Low (e.g., $20) Varies (via network)
Payment Frequency Monthly (via network) Monthly (via network) Monthly (via program) Monthly (via network)
Commission Typically 6% – 8% Up to 15% (Varies by brand/category) Up to 11% (Tiered structure) 6%
Conversion High (Reputable, established brand loyal customers) High (Targeting audiences seeking expert recommendations) High (Vast product selection, competitive pricing) Moderate (Strong focus on natural and ethical beauty)
Marketing Materials Banners, Text Links, Product Feeds Text Links, Banners, Deep Linking Affiliate links, coupon codes Banners, Text Links, Product Feeds